Spring Activities for Sensory Seekers vs. Sensory Avoiders

From One Neurodivergent Black Mama to Another

As a neurodivergent Black mother raising neurodivergent children, spring isn’t just about flowers blooming or warmer weather. It’s about managing transitions, regulating sensory input, and creating opportunities for joy without overwhelm.

This spring season is a magical time to lean into what our kids truly need. Not just more activities, but more understanding of how their sensory systems process the world around them. If you’re navigating the beautiful chaos of parenting children with different sensory profiles, I see you. Over the years, I’ve discovered that with a little creativity and understanding, spring activities can be adapted to meet everyone where they are. 

In this blog post, I’m sharing sensory play ideas for young children and older children alike. Whether they crave much sensory stimulation or need a calmer environment. You’ll find fine motor activities, outdoor sensory fun, and adaptable sensory bin ideas using easy-to-find materials (hello, dollar store moms, I see you ).

Wait! What’s the Difference Between Sensory Seekers and Avoiders?

Before jumping into activities, let’s talk about what we mean by sensory seekers and avoiders:

Sensory Seekers crave intense sensory input. They might:

• Seek out movement, touching everything, and deep pressure
• Love loud sounds, bright colors, and strong flavors
• Have trouble sitting still and appear to have “boundless energy”
• Need more intense experiences to feel regulated

Sensory Avoiders are more sensitive to sensory input. They might:

• Feel overwhelmed by noises, crowds, or certain textures
• Prefer quiet, predictable environments
• Become upset with messy hands or wet clothing
• Need more time to process sensory experiences

Many children (and adults!) like myself fall somewhere in between or have mixed profiles. Seeking certain types of input while avoiding others. My two boys fall into different spots on that spectrum, so we’ve had to get creative with a variety of ideas that support their child’s senses in safe, fun, and respectful ways.

Both are valid. Both deserve to experience spring in a way that feels safe and fun. And yes, you can absolutely create space for both in your home or backyard.

For the Sensory Seekers: Spring Activities That Bring the Input

These spring sensory activities help kids who need movement, stimulation, and full-body sensory engagement. These spring sensory activities are a great way to offer sensory input through different textures, movement, and imaginative play. Many support fine motor skills, too!

1. Mud Play Station

Why it works: This activity delivers on tactile input (the squish of mud), proprioceptive input (stirring thick mixtures), and even vestibular input if they’re moving around the “kitchen.” Plus, it encourages creativity and dramatic play!
How to do it:

• Fill a plastic bin or small kiddie pool with dirt + water
• Add shovels, trucks, plastic animals, and let the chaos happen
• Bonus: You can do this barefoot for even more input

Sensory Boost Tip: Add in plastic bugs, small toys, or fake flowers or a spring garden theme. A messy play idea that’s a hit with young kids!

2. Outdoor Water Play Table 

Why it works: It combines movement, impact, and outdoor play.
How to do it:

• Include kitchen utensils like ladles, scoops, and cups
• Let kids throw water balloons (or wet sponges!) to hit them
• Talk about the splash, sound, and how it feels

Adapt it: Use chalk paint or washable markers for a visual component too.

3. Nature Obstacle Course

Why it works: Sensory seekers often need “heavy work” or proprioceptive input. My sensory seeker lives for physical challenges that give him proprioceptive input (the kind that helps him know where his body is in space).
How to do it:

• Set up cones, stepping stones, balance beams, and tunnels
• Add instructions: “Hop like a frog,” “Crawl under the rope,” “Balance and spin”
• Let them repeat as much as they want. It’s regulating!

Pro Tip: Let your kids help you design the course!

4. Shaving Cream Art Outside

Why it works: Encourages exploration of textures, smells, and creativity. This is fantastic fun for sensory exploration and builds hand-eye coordination.
How to do it:

• Add a few drops of food coloring to shaving cream on a tray
• Let them swirl and press paper on top to make prints
• Talk about different colors and textures for language skills
  

For the Sensory Avoiders: Gentle, Calm Spring Activities

These are low-pressure, soft-input ideas for kids who are easily overwhelmed by sound, touch, or crowds.

1. Scavenger Hunt With Visual Cues

Why it works: Structured, quiet, and focuses attention
How to do it:

• Create a simple visual list of things to find (flower, rock, feather)
• Use pictures if your child isn’t reading yet
• Go at their pace and let them hold onto a calming object (like a soft toy)

2. Gardening with Gloves

Why it works: It introduces touch in a controlled, predictable way
How to do it:

• Let them wear gardening gloves to avoid direct contact with dirt
• Offer choices: pick the flower seeds, pour the water, place the rocks
• Keep the space quiet and minimize sudden noises

3. Bubble Gazing Station

Why it works: Bubbles are visual, slow-moving, and soothing
How to do it:

• Sit in a shaded area and blow bubbles slowly
• Let your child watch or pop them from a distance
• You can also use scented bubbles to incorporate gentle smell input

This is a perfect time to bond gently, especially after a long time indoors. Talk about what you see and hear. 

4. Sound Walk (With Headphones If Needed)

Why it works: It’s predictable and grounding
How to do it:

• Walk around the neighborhood or park for a calming nature walk
• Listen for birds, leaves, the wind, but use noise-reducing headphones if needed
• You can turn it into a quiet “I Spy” game too

Activities That Can Be Adapted for Both

If you’re parenting kids with different sensory needs (raises hand ), these ideas work for everyone, but with small tweaks.

1. Sidewalk Chalk Art Zone

• For seekers: Let them draw big, bold, messy strokes across the driveway
• For avoiders: Offer stencils, gloves, and sit in a quiet spot nearby

Great for language development, regulation, and visual sensory play.

2. Spring Sensory Box: Flower Soup

• For seekers: Encourage scooping and stirring with spoons in water
• For avoiders: Let them smell and observe, or “wash” fake flowers with a cloth

3. Water Table or Themed Sensory Bin

• For seekers: Add water beads, cups, ice cubes, and sponges. Let them splash!
• For avoiders: Use warm water, soft cloths, and keep water shallow and calm

Use a shallow bin for safety and provide close supervision to avoid any choking hazard from small parts.

How I Make It Work: A Step-by-Step Breakdown

What kind of day is your child having? Are they under-stimulated or already overwhelmed?
Disrupted routines can be a huge trigger, and I talk about how we handle those in What Happens When Routines Are Disrupted.

Step 1: Start With Observation

What kind of day is your child having? Are they under-stimulated or already overwhelmed?

Step 2: Choose Based on Energy Level

• High energy? Go for movement-based activities.
• Low energy or anxious? Choose grounding, low-input options.

Step 3: Prepare the Environment

• Set boundaries: “We’ll do this for 15 minutes, then wash hands.”
• Use visual supports or timers if needed
• Offer an “exit strategy” for kids who may become overstimulated

Step 4: Follow Their Lead

You’re offering an invitation, not a demand. If they engage, great. If they opt out, that’s okay too. Don’t force the sensory experience. 

How to Keep Sensory Spring Activities Fun

Spring can be magical, but only if our kids feel safe in their bodies. Whether they need to splash barefoot through puddles or sit quietly and listen to birds, both needs are valid. And both deserve space to thrive. Let your child’s cues lead the way, and know that however you show up, it’s enough.

Navigating spring with children who have different sensory needs doesn’t have to mean planning separate activities for each child. With thoughtful modifications, most sensory exploration can work for the whole family, creating memories and skills that last well beyond the season.

What spring activities have worked for your sensory-diverse family? I’d love to hear your experiences and modifications in the comments below!

Want More?

• Download my free printable sensory activity planner (coming soon!)
• Read more real-life tips in:
  → Gift Guide for Your Sensory-Seeking Toddler
  → Autism Oral Sensory Toys
  → What Happens When Routines Are Disrupted
• Pin this post to save it for later

Kish

Posted By: Kisha Gulley · In: Autism, Featured